Day 1 - July 19 Finally the focus of the Centennial games shifts from the city of Atlanta to the athletes Day 2 - July 20 A rousing send-off at Olympic Stadium reminds U.S. athletes there's no place like home Day 3 - July 21 With its double-overtime win over Croatia, Lithuania put in a bid as the best of the rest behind the dream team. Day 4 - July 22 Tom Dolan won the 400 individual medley at the expense of—who else?—Michigan rival Eric Namesnik Day 5 - July 23 The U.S. won five more swim medals, but Michelle Smith's second gold for Ireland caused a stir Day 6 - July 24 In a dramatic finish, the U.S. women gymnasts nailed Russia for the team gold Day 7 - July 25 Firing back at skeptics, Ireland's Michelle Smith won her third gold medal in as many tries Day 8 - July 26 With her breakaway win, swimmer Brooke Bennett of the U.S. replaced legend Janet Evans as distance darling Day 9 - July 27 A musical performance at Centennial Olympic Park was interrupted by an explosive device, tainting the games forever Day 10 - July 28 It was business as usual for most athletes as they tried to stay focused on the competition Day 11 - July 29 The Cuban baseball team delivered the big hits when it counted, defeating the U.S. to stay unbeaten Day 12 - July 30 With few challengers, Carl Lewis leaped to yet another gold medal in the long jump Day 13 - July 31 Veteran Dot Richardson powered the U.S. women's softball team to a long-awaited softball gold Day 14 - August 1 U.S. track favorites were overtaken by a cast of golden opportunists Day 15 - August 2 Adding the 200 gold to his 400, Michael Johnson cut his world record to 19.32 Day 16 - August 3 In a fitting end to the baseball tournament, Cuba won the gold medal by outslugging Japan Day 17 - August 4 Victorious U.S. women's teams made friends and influenced people Day 18 - August 5 Atlanta and its no-frills games recovered nicely from the bombing